You have probably heard in the news recently about Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 Administrator Dr. Al Armendariz stepping down from his position.
Dr. Al Armendariz has a PhD in environmental engineering and is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas who has received numerous Outstanding Faculty awards.
Dr. Armendariz has extensive experience in environmental monitoring and regulation. His experience includes working as an environmental engineer in the private sector, an environmental engineer for EPA and a university researcher and professor of environmental engineering. Dr. Armendariz has also lent his expertise to communities through volunteer service.
We at LEAN and LMRK were excited when we learned that Dr. Armendariz was appointed as Regional Administrator for EPA Region 6. This was encouraging as regional administrators are political appointees and sometimes do not have significant experience in the environmental field. Dr. Armendariz, however, is uniquely qualified for this position. It was very refreshing to learn that someone with an extensive background in environmental science was being brought from the private sector to lead the Region.
Considering the gross under enforcement of environmental laws and regulations in Region 6, it was a breath of fresh air to have a Regional Administrator who intended to take a hard line with polluters.
Pollution can and has killed, sickened and destroyed the lives and vitality of individuals and entire communities. Polluters must be held accountable for their actions. The EPA and other regulators must find people who are not complying with the law and hold them accountable.
Upon hearing of Dr. Armendariz's resignation, LEAN wrote the following letter to show our support for the work Dr. Armendariz has done. We, along with all the other indivduals signed below, are proud to show our support for Dr. Armendariz and his commitment to protecting the environment. If you would like to sign on pleae leave your name and organization and/or city and state in the comments section at the bottom of this page.
Letter of Support to Dr. Al Armendariz:
May 4, 2012
Dr. Al Armendariz
Dear Dr. Armendariz,
It is a sad state of affairs that the individual agendas of a few very biased and opportunistic members of Congress have caused you to feel it necessary to submit your resignation. When you were appointed Regional Administrator for EPA Region 6 in Dallas in 2009 there was an air of great optimism among the environmental community. We recognized that the individual appointed was a knowledgeable scientist committed to improving the condition of our environment while protecting the citizens most at risk. You demonstrated this repeatedly.
It has been a pleasure working with you. You shared the vision of a grassroots approach to enforcing environmental law that this region needs, and have always had our support. We will continue to engage in activities that reinforce your vision and move us toward a cleaner environment.
It has been a privilege.
Sincerely,
|
Marylee Orr, Executive Director |
Cynthia Sarthou, Executive Director Gulf Restoration Network Brian Parras, Media & Youth Coordinator Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (t.e.j.a.s.) Juan Parras, Director Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (t.e.j.a.s.) Leslie March, Former Chair Louisiana Chapter Sierra Club Dr. Michael Robichaux, Practicing Physician and former Louisiana State Senator Casey Roberts, Executive Director, Alliance for Affordable Energy Paul Ringo, Sabine Riverkeeper Mark Davis New Orleans, Louisiana Gary Hogan, Interim President North Central Texas Communities Alliance Robert Alvarado San Antonio, Texas Lupe Alvarado San Antonio, Texas Hilton Kelley Goldman Environmental Prize Recipient Port Arthur, Texas Isabella Ramirez East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice Bob Lindsay Port O'Connor, Texas Debbie Allen, Vice President Pleasantville Environmental Coalition Chris Wilson Tar Sands Coalition Clarice Friloux Concerned Citizens of Grand Bois Grand Bois, Louisiana Sharon Gauthe Bayou Interfaith Shared Community Organizing (BISCO) Thibodaux, Louisiana Dr. Sharon Croisant Galveston, Texas Sister Elizabeth Riebschlaeger Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, Texas Cherri Foytlin Rayne, Louisiana Lakti Sen Houston, Texas Suzie Canales Citizens for Environmental Justice Corpus Christi, Texas Jim Klein Clean Economy Coalition of Corpus Christi Liana Lopez Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (t.e.j.a.s.) Colette Pichon Battle Moving Forward Gulf Coast, Inc. Slidell, Louisiana Claude Porter Moving Forward Gulf Coast, Inc. David Weinberg, Executive Director, Texas League of Conservation Voters Jim Marston, Environmental Defense Fund Monty Matlock Director, Pawnee Nation Division of Natural Resources Pawnee, OK Jill Grant Nordhaus Law Firm, LLP Linda Stone Global Green USA New Orleans, LA Evaristo Cruz, Director Environmental Management Office Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Luanne Baker RockIt Science Productions New Hampshire Gregory Fox San Antonio, TX Linda Leavitt The Gulf Coast Environmental Health Coalition(GCEHC) Scott Eustis Gulf Restoration Network New Orleans, LA Nelda Perez Office of Environmental Justice and Tribal Affairs, Region 6 US EPA Dallas, TX Rebecca Jim, Director LEAD Agency, Inc. Miami, OK Guiyuan “Gwen” Wang Baton Rouge, LA |
If you would like to sign on pleae leave your name and organization and/or city and state in the comments section at the bottom of this page.
